Substituted phenoxy-and phenylthioacetates and derivatives thereof

ABSTRACT

DISCLOSED HEREIN ARE SUBSTITUTED PHENOXY-AND PHENYLTHIO-ACETATE COMPOUNDS AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF HAVING UTILITY AS PESTICIDES.

United States Patent Oflice Patented Aug. 13, 1974 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed herein are substituted phenoxyand phenylthio-acetate compounds and derivatives thereof having utility as pesticides.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 111,688, filed Feb. 1, 1971, now US. Pat. 3,709,926.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a series of substituted phenoxyand phenylthio-acetate compounds and derivatives thereof corresponding to one of the formulas:

wherein, in the above and succeeding formulas,

each X independently represents hydrogen, bromo, chloro or fluoro, with the proviso that at least one X is always bromo, chloro or fluoro;

each Y represents a chalcogen of atomic number 8-16 inclusive;

each M independently represents bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, nitro or loweralkyl containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, both inclusive;

a represents an integer of from O to 3, both inclusive;

each 11 independently represents an integer of from 1 to 6, both inclusive;

q represents an integer of from 2 to 4, both inclusive;

R represents hydrogen or lower alkyl containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, both inclusive, with the proviso that when n is greater than 1, Only one R can be loweralkyl;

each R" independently represents hydrogen or loweralkyl containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, with the proviso that when q is greater than 2, only two R moieties can be loweralkyl, and

R represents wherein Q represents hydrogen, sodium, potassium or loweralkyl containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, both inclusive;

halo represents bromo, chloro, 'fluoro or iodo;

each T independently represents hydrogen, loweralkyl containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, both inclusive or loweralkanol containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, both inclusive;

each T independently represents hydrogen, loweralkyl containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, both inclusive, loweralkanol containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, both inclusive or cyano, with the proviso that only one of T' is cyano;

R, R", Y, q and n are as previously defined, and product complexes (1:1) of the compounds wherein Q is hydrogen with compounds wherein Q is sodium or potasslum.

As used herein the term loweralkyl means saturated monovalent aliphatic radicals, including straight and branched-chain radicals of from 1 to about 4 and from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, as illustrated by, but not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 'butyl, sec.-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, iso-octyl, nonyl, decyl, and the like.

The term loweralkanol as used herein means saturated, monovalent aliphatic radicals, including straight and branched-chain radicals of from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, as illustrated by, but not limited to, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, sec-butanol, pentanol, hexanol and the like. The term chalcogen as used herein means those elements of the recognized chalcogen group having an atomic number of 8 to 16, inclusive, i.e., oxygen and sulfur.

The products of the present invention are oils or crystalline solids at room temperatures and of varying degrees of solubility in water and many common organic solvents. The compounds of the present invention are suitable for use as herbicides, fungicides and insecticides.

The novel compounds corresponding to Formula (IA), wherein Q is loweralkyl, are generally prepared by reacting a substituted acetate compound of the formula:

with a substituted phenol or thiophenol compound of the formula:

XKCCFZY (IV) and potassium or sodium carbonate in the presence of an inert solvent which serves as a carrier medium. In the above formulas, X, Y, M, a, n, and R are as previously defined, X is bromo, chloro or fluoro, and Q is loweralkyl.

Representative inert solvents operable as carrier media in the present invention include carbon tetrachloride, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, chloroform, acetone, benzene, and the like.

The reaction takes place smoothly at temperatures of from about to about 120 0.; generally, the reaction is carried out at the boiling point of the reaction mixture under reflux conditions. The amount of the reactants employed is not critical and essentially equimolar proportions of the reactants are employed. The pressure is not critical and the reaction is ordinarily carried out at ambient atmospheric pressures.

In carrying out the reaction, the phenol or thiophenol and sodium or potassium carbonate reactants are mixed in a carrier medium as described and the substituted acetate reactant added thereto at ambient temperatures. The resulting reaction mixture is heated gently at the boiling point of the reaction mixture under reflux conditions for a period of from about 2 to about 25 hours. Following the substantial completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture is cooled and filtered, and the solvent carrier removed in vacuo to obtain the product as an oily residue. The product residue thus obtained can be further purified by employing conventional techniques, such as, for example, distillation, vapor phase chromatography and the like.

Other novel compounds of the present invention corresponding to Formula (IB) and those compounds corresponding to Formula II are similarly prepared by reacting a substituted phenol or thiophenol reactant with an appropriately substituted acetate or thioacetate reactant and sodium or potassium carbonate under the reaction conditions set forth above. Suitable substituted acetate reactants operable in this embodiment of the present invention include, for example, ethylene glycol bis(chloroacetate), tetramethylene glycol bis(chloroacetate), hexamethylene glycol bis(chloroacetate), dimethylethylene glycol bis(chloroacetate), l-isobutoxy-Z-propyl chloroacetate and the like, including the corresponding thioacetate compounds. The above acetate compounds are commercially available or readily prepared by known procedures from chloroacetyl chloride and an appropriate glycol or alkanol reactant.

The prepared products of Formula (IA), wherein Q is loweralkyl, can be further treated with Claisens alkali to obtain the novel compounds of Formula (IA) wherein Q is sodium or potassium. The addition of Claisens alkali to such prepared products results in the formation of a slurry which, after a period of from about to about minutes, is clarified by the addition of small portions of water. The clarified solution is then agitated at ambient temperatures for a period of from about 1 to about 4 hours and subsequently extracted with methylene chloride. Evaporation of the aqueous phase from the extract under reduced pressure gives the desired sodium or potassium derivative of the substituted phenoxyor phenylthio-acetate compound as a crystalline solid. The product thus obtained can be further purified by employing procedures such as solvent extraction, recrystallization and the like.

Product complexes (1:1) comprising the prepared sodium or potassium derivatives of the substituted phenoxyor phenylthio-acetate compounds with a substituted phenoxyor phenylthio-acetic acid compound are readily prepared by acidifying a solution of the sodium or potassium derivative obtained above with 5% sulfuric acid. The product precipitate formed upon acidification is filtered off and washed with water to give the desired 1:1 product complex as a crystalline solid which can be further purified according to procedures previously described. Further treatment of the 1:1 product complex thus obtained with 3N sulfuric acid at ambient temperatures for a period of about two hours, followed by filtration and washing and drying of the product gives the free acetic or thioacetic acid compound corresponding to Formula (IA) wherein Q is hydrogen.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the substituted phenoxyor phenylthio-acetic or thioacetic acid compounds obtained above are employed in the preparation of the novel compounds of Formula (IC) and (ID).

In preparing the compounds of Formula (IC), the substituted phenoxyor phenylthio-acetic or thioacetic acid compound is dispersed in a carrier medium, such as one of those set forth hereinbefore, and an appropriate amine reactant is added thereto. Representative amine reactants operable in this embodiment of the present invention include methylamine, n-propylamine, sec.-butylamine, n-amylamine, hexylamine, dimethylamine, dibutylamine, dihexylamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, trihexylamine, ethanolamine, triethanolamine, Z-aminol-butanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-l-propanol and the like.

The resulting reaction mixture of the amine and acetic or thioacetic acid reactants is usually agitated at ambient temperatures for a period of from about one-half to about two hours. Following the completion of the reaction, the product precipitate formed during the course of the reaction is filtered off, Washed with an appropriate organic solvent and dried to give the desired product correspond ing to Formula (IC). Further purification of the product can be achieved by utilizing methods previously described.

In preparing the novel compounds corresponding to Formula (ID), the substituted phenoxyor phenylthioacetic or thioacetic acid compound is contacted with a thionyl chloride or bromide reactant and the resulting reaction mixture is heated at a temperature of from about 50 to about C. for a period of from about 1 to about 25 hours. Preferably, the reaction mixture is heated at the boiling point under reflux conditions. Following the completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture is evaporated under reduced pressure to remove the excess thionyl halide reactant and then distilled to obtain the desired substituted phenoxyor phenylthio-acetyl halide product. The product thus obtained can be futrher purified according to the procedures set forth hereinbefore.

The acyl fluorides or iodides can be prepared by the reaction of the corresponding acyl chloride with calcium iodide or antimony fluoride, respectively. In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the novel compounds of Formula I wherein R is are prepared by adding a solution containing a substituted phenoxyor phenylthio-acyl halide compound of Formula (ID) in a carrier medium as previously set forth to a solution containing cyanamide or an appropriate amine reactant as previously set forth. The resulting reaction mixture is agitated at a temperature of from about 50 to about C. for a period of from about 1 to about 25 hours. Preferably, the reaction is carried out at the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture under reflux conditions. Following the substantial completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture is filtered and treated with water and methylene chloride, the aqueous layer formed being separated and extracted with additional portions of methylene chloride. The methylene chloride portions are combined, washed with water, and dried over magnesium sulfate. Evaporation of the product mixture under reduced pressure gives the desired product corresponding to Formula (IE), which can be further purified as previously described.

The compounds of Formula (IE) wherein each T represents hydrogen are prepared by reacting a mixture consisting of a compound of Formula (IA), wherein Q is loweralkyl, and an alkanol, such as, for example, methanol, ethanol and the like with concentrated ammonium hydroxide. The ammonium hydroxide reactant is added,

by dropwise addition, to the prepared mixture at a temperature of from about to about C. over a period of from about 5 to about minutes. The resulting reaction mixture is agitated at ambient temperatures for a period of from about 10 to about hours. Following the completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture is filtered and the solids obtained dissolved in methylene chloride. The aqueous filtrate is extracted with additional portions of methylene chloride and the methylene chloride portions are combined, washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate. Reduction of the product mixture volume by evaporation under reduced pressure, followed by the addition of hexane yields the product as a crystalline solid which is filtered off and further purified as previously described.

The desirable properties of the products of the present invention are inherent in the pure compounds; when highly selective properties are to be relied upon, the purified compounds will be preferred. However, for many applications, incompletely purified products can be utilized if desired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following examples illustrate the present invention but as such are not to be construed as limiting the same.

Example 1 2-Chloro-5-(2,2-dichloro 1,1 difluoroethoxy)phenol (251.6 grams; 0.9 mole) and potassium carbonate (125 grams; 0.9 mole) were dissolved in one liter of acetonitrile. Ethyl bromoacetate (167.0 grams; 1.0 mole) was added at ambient temperatures and the resulting reaction mixture was heated gently at the boiling temperature under reflux conditions for about 20 hours. Following the completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was cooled and filtered, and the acetonitrile solvent removed in vacuo to obtain the product as an oily residue. Distillation of the product residue gave the desired ethyl 2-chloro- 5-(2,2-dichloro-l,1 difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate compound as an oil having a refractive index (n of 1.5014.

Example 2 A reaction mixture consisting of 2-chloro-5-(2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy) phenol (8.3 grams; 0.03 mole), potassium carbonate (5.0 grams), acetonitrile (80 milliliters) and 1-isobutoxy-2-propyl chloroacetate (6.9 grams; 0.03 mole) was heated at the boiling temperature under reflux conditions for a period of about 20 hours in order to assure substantial completion of the reaction. Following the completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was filtered and the solvent removed in vacuo to give the desired 2-(isobutoxy)-1-methylethyl 2-chloro 5 (2,2-dichloro-1,l-difiuoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate product as an oil having a refractive index (n of 1.4386.

Example 3 In a manner similar to that described in Example 2, ethylene bis (2-chloro-5- (2,2-dichloro- 1, l-difluoroethoxy phenoxyacetate) is obtained as a yellow viscous oil having a refractive index (11 of 1.5083 by reacting together 2 chloro-S-(2,2-dichloro-l,l-difluoroethoxy)phenoyl, potassium carbonate and ethylene glycol bis(chloroacetate) in acetonitrile.

Example 4 The product obtained in Example 1 (10.9 grams; 0.03 mole) was treated with 75 milliliters of Claisens alkali (0.033 mole of potassium hydroxide in a 4:1 methanol/ water solution) at ambient temperatures for a period of about 10 minutes. The resulting slurry was clarified by the addition of approximately 20 milliliters of water and the clarified solution was agitated at ambient temperatures for a period of about two hours. The solution was then washed twice with methylene chloride and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure to obtain the product as a solid residue. Recrystallization of the product residue from methanol gave the desired potassium 2-chloro-5- (2,2-dichloro-l,l-difluoroethoxy) phenoxyacetate compound as a crystalline solid having a melting point of 255- 257 C.

Example 5 The potassium derivative (5.4 grams; 0.015 mole) obtained in Example 4 was dissolved in milliliters of water and acidified with 5% sulfuric acid. The product precipitate formed upon acidification was filtered off, Washed with water, dried and recrystallized from acetone to give the desired 1:1 product complex of potassium 2- chloro 5 (2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate with 2 chloro-5-(2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy) phenoxy acetic acid as a white crystalline solid having a melting point of 198-199 C.

Example 6 The 1:1 product complex obtained in Example 5 (9.54 grams; 0.135 mole) was slurried with 3N sulfuric acid milliliters at ambient temperatures for a period of about two hours. The reaction mixture was then filtered and the product precipitate obtained was washed with water and dried to give the desired 2-chloro-5-(2,2-dichloro-l,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxy acetic acid product as a white crystalline solid having a melting point of 92-97 C.

By reacting the appropriate substituted haloalkoxyor haloalkylthio-phenol or thiophenol reactant with an appropriate substituted acetate reactant and sodium or potassium carbonate according to the procedures of Examples 1-3, and by treating such products according to the procedures of Examples 4-6, the following substituted phenoxy-and phenylthioacetate compounds and derivatives thereof are obtained:

Ethyl 3 (2,2-dichloro-1,1-difiuoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate, having a boiling point of C. at 0.2 millimeters of Hg;

Ethyl 4 (2,2-dichloro 1,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxy acetate, having a melting point of 70.571 C.;

Ethyl 4 (2,2 dichloro 1,l-difluoroethoxy)-2-nitrophenoxyacetate, having a boiling point of 183 C. at 0.2 millimeters of Hg;

Ethyl 2,4,6 trichloro 5 (2,2-dichloro-1,l-difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate, having a boiling point of 166- 170 C. at 0.2 millimeters of Hg;

Ethyl 2 bromo 5 (2,2-dichloro-1,1-difiuoroethoxy)- phenoxyacetate, having a boiling point of 154l60 C. at 0.2 millimeters of Hg;

Ethyl 2 (2,2 dichloro 1,1 difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate, having a boiling point of 104-106" C. at 0.05 millimeters of Hg;

Ethyl 3 (2 bromo 1,1,Z-trifiuoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate, having a boiling point of 1l4-l15 C. at 0.1 millimeters of Hg;

Ethyl 4 chloro 2 (2,2 dichloro-1,l-difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate, having a boiling point of 122l26 C. at 0.02 millimeters of Hg;

Butyl 2 chloro 5 -(2,2 dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate, having a boiling point of 152-l54 C. at 0.2 millimeters of Hg;

Ethyl 2 (2 chloro 5 (2,2 dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxypropionate, having a boiling point of l20-124 C. at 0.1 millimeters of Hg;

Isooctyl 2 chloro 5 (2,2 dichloro-l,'1-difiuoro ethoxy)phenoxyacetate, having a boiling point of 170 C. at 0.15 millimeters of Hg;

Ethyl 4 (2 chloro 5 (2,2-dichloro-1,1-di-fiuoroethoxy)phenoxy)butyrate, having a boiling point of 155 C. at 0.1 millimeter of Hg;

Ethyl 2-(aud 6) (2,2 dichloro 1,1-difluoroethoxy)- p(and-m-tolyloxyacetate, as a 1:1 mixture having a boiling point of 120 C. at 0.2 millimeters of Hg;

2 Isobutoxy l methylethyl 2 chloro 5-(2,2-di

9 difluoroethylthio) 2 iodo-6-tert.-butylphenylthio)-2- isopropylthiopropionate), having a molecular weight of 1406.5;

Trimethylene bis(3 bromo chloro-2-(2,2,2,-trichloro 1,1 difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate), having a molecular weight of 937.7;

1,3 Diethyltrimethylene bis(4 (2-(2,2-dichloro-l,1- difluoroethylthio) 2,6 dinitro-4-iodophenylthio)butyrate), having a molecular weight of 1248.4;

2 Isopropyltrimethylene bis(2 bromo 4 chloro-5- (pentafluoroethoxy)-6-fluorophenoxyacetate), having a molecular weight of 949.1;

Ethylene bis(3 (4-bromo-3-(2,2-dichloro-1,l-difluoroethoxy) 2,6-di-tert.-butylphenoxy)-2-methylpropionate), having a molecular weight of 1064.3;

Trirnethylene bis(3 (2,2,2 trichloro 1,1-difluoroethoxy)-2,4,6-triethylphenoxyacetate), having a molecular weight of 879.5; and

1,2 Dimethylethylene bis(3-(2-chloro-5-(2,2-dibromo- 1,1 difluoroethoxy) 4 ethyl-6-nitrophenylthio)thiopropionate), having a molecular weight of 1141.4.

Example 7 2 Chloro 5-(2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxy acetic acid (2.5 grams; 0.007 mole) was dissolved in benzene (20 milliliters); the mixture was then treated with ethanolamine (0.61 grams; 0.01 mole) and the resulting reaction mixture was agitated at ambient temperatures for a period of about one hour. The product precipitate formed during the course of the reaction was filtered off, washed with benzene and dried to give the desired 2-aminoethanol salt of 2 chloro 5 (2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxy acetic acid as a solid having a melting point of 91-94 C.

In a manner similar to that described in Example 7, there are obtained, inter alia, the following products of Formula I wherein R is by the reaction of the appropriate substituted phenoxy acetic acid derivative with the appropriate amine compound:

Dibutylamine salt of 2-chloro-5-(2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxy acetic acid, having a melting point of 99-103 C.;

Dimethylamine salt of 2-chloro-5-(2,2-dichloro-1,l-difluoroethoxy)phenoxy acetic acid, having a molecular weight of 380.607;

Tripropylamine salt of 3 (2,4,6 tribromo-3-(2,2,-trichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy) phenylthio thiopropionic acid, having a molecular weight of 761.6;

Triisopropanolamine salt of 4' (2 (2-bromo-l,1,2-trifluoroethylthio) 3,5 diiodophenoxy) butyric acid, having a molecular weight of 816.3;

Isohexylamine salt of 4 (2,2,2 tribromo-1,1-difluoroethoxy)-2,6-difiuorophenoxyacetic acid, having a molecular weight of 606.1;

4-Amino-2-methyl-l-butanol salt of 3-(4-(pentafluoroethoxy) 2 iodo-6-tert.-butylphenylthio)-2-methylthiopropionic acid, having a molecular weight of 617.5;

Diethanolamine salt of 3 (3 bromo-'5-chloro-2-(2,2- dichloro 1,1 difluoroethylthio)phenoxy) 2 isopropylpropionic acid, having a molecular weight of 591.8;

N-methyl-N-isoamylamine salt of 5-(3-(2-bromo-1,1,2- trifluoroethoxy) 2 iodo-4-nitro-6-tert.-butylphenylthio)- 4-methylvaleric acid, having a molecular weight of 729.4;

Ammonium salt of 3 (4 bromo 3 (pentafluoroethoxy)-2,6-dinitrophenoxy)thiopropionic acid, having a molecular weight of 502.4;

Isobutylamine salt of 2 bromo 4 chloro-3-(2,2,2-tribromo 1,l-difiuoroethylthio)-6-iodophenoxyacetic acid, having a molecular weight of 798.3 and 10 Dibutylamine salt of 3 (2 (2,2dichloro-1,I-difluoroethoxy) 3,5-dipropylphenoxy)-2-tert.butylpropionic acid, having a molecular weight of 584. 6.

Example 8 A reaction mixture consisting of 2 chloro 5 (2,2- dichloro 1,1 difluoroethoxy)phenoxy acetic acid (9.9 grams; 0.03 mole) and thionyl chloride (18.0 grams; 0.15 mole) was heated at the boiling temperature under reflux conditions for a period of about 20 hours. Following the completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure to remove the excess thionyl chloride reactant and then distilled to give the desired 2 chloro 5 (2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)- phenoxy acetyl chloride product as a colorless oil having a refractive index (n of 1.5180 and a boiling point of 117 C. at 0.2 millimeters of Hg.

In a manner similar to that described in Example 8, there are obtained, inter alia, the following acetyl halide products of Formula (ID) by the reaction of the appropriate substituted phenoxy acetic acid and thionyl halide reactants:

3 (2 bromo 5 (2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-difluoroethylthio)- phenylthio)propionyl bromide, having a molecular weight of 523.7;

2 (5-(2-bromo-1,1,2-trifluoroethoxy)-2-iodophenoxy)- propionyl fluoride, having a molecular weight of 471.0;

4 (2,2,2-tribromo-1,1-difluoroethylthio)-2,6-difluorophenylthio acetyl chloride, having a molecular weight of 555.5;

4 (2-bromo-4-(2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethoxy)-6-tert.- butylphenoxy)butyryl bromide, having a molecular weight of 510.6;

3 bromo 5-chloro-2-(2,2-dichloro-1,l-difluoroethylthio)phenylthio acetyl fluoride, having a molecular weight of 448.6;

3 (3 (2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)-2-i0do-4- tert.-butyl-6-nitrophenoxy) -2-isopropylpropionyl chloride, having a molecular weight of 637.1;

4 bromo 3 (pentafluoroethoxy)-2,6-dinitrophenylthio acetyl chloride, having a molecular weight of 489.7;

3 (2 bromo-4chloro-5-(2,2-dibromo-1,1-difluoroethylthio) 6 iodophenoxy)propionyl bromide, having a molecular weight of 722.1; and

3 (2 (2,2-dichloro-1,ldifluoroethoxy)-3,5-dipropylphenoxy)butyryl chloride, having a molecular weight of 431.9.

Example 9 A solution of 2-chloro-5-(2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxy acetyl chloride 1.77 grams; 0.005 mole) in 10 milliliters of acetonitrile was added to a solution of cyanamide (0.5 gram; 0.01 mole) in 10 milliliters of acetonitrile. The resulting reaction mixture was agitated at ambient temperatures for a period of about 16 hours and then filtered. The filtrate was treated with 25 milliliters of water and 50 milliliters of methylene chloride and the aqueous layer separated and extracted with additional methylene chloride (two 25 milliliter portions). The methylene chloride extracts were combined, washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated under reduced pressure to obtain the product as a solid residue. Recrystallization of the product residue from a methylene chloride/ hexane mixture (1:2) gave the desired 2-chloro- 5-(2,2-dichloro 1,1 difiuoroethoxy)phenoxy-N-cyanoacetamide product as a crystalline solid having a melting point of 131-132 C.

Example 10 16 hours at ambient temperatures and filtered. The solids obtained by filtration were dissolved in 100 milliliters of methylene chloride and the aqueous filtrate extracted four times with twenty-five milliliter portions of methylene chloride. The methylene chloride portions were combined and washed twice with 50 milliliter portions of water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo to a volume of approximately 40 milliliters. Hexane (100 milliliters) was added and the resultant crystalline precipitate filtered off and recrystallized from a methylene chloride/hexane mixture (1:2). As a result of these operations, the desired 2-ch1oro-5-(2,2-dichloro-1,l-difiuoroethoxy)phenoxyacetamide was obtained as a crystalline solid having a melting point of 121-l2l.5 C.

In a manner similar to that described in Examples 9 and 10, there are obtained, inter alia, the following products of Formula (IE) by the reaction of an appropriate substituted acetate or acetyl halide compound of Formulas (IA) and (ID) with an amide or amine reactant:

N,N-dibutyl-2-(2 chloro--(2,2-dich1oro-1,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxy)acetamide, having a molecular weight of 446.7;

N,N-bis(2 hydroxyethyl) 3 (2,4,6-tribromo-3-(2- bromo 1,1,2 trifluoroethoxy)phenylthio)propionamide, having a molecular weight of 682.9;

N-amyl 4 (2-(2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-difluoroethylthio)- 3,5-diiodophenoxy)-N-isohexylbutyramide, having a molecular weight of 700.5;

N-(6-hydroxyhexyl) 3 (3-bromo-5-chloro-2-(2,2-dichloro 1,1 difluoroethylthio)phenoxy) 2 tert.-butylpropionamide, having a molecular weight of 599.7;

N,N-diethyl 5 (3-(2-bromo-1,1,2-trifiu0roethoxy)-2- iodo-4-nitro 6 tert.-butylphenylthio) 4 methylvaleramide, having a molecular weight of 556.3;

N-(3-hydroxypropyl) 3 (4 bromo-3-(penta-fluoroethoxy)-2,6-dinitrophenoxy)propionamide, having a mo lecular weight of 526.3;

N-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) 2 (2-bromo-4-chloro- 3-(2,2,2 tribromo 1,1 difluoroethylthio)-6-iodophenoxy)acetamide, having a molecular weight of 749.5;

N,Ndipropyl 3 (2-(2,2-dichloro-1,1-difiuoroethoxy)- 3,5-diisopropylphenoxy) 2 isopropylpropionamide, having a molecular weight of 524.6;

N-(S-hydroxyamyl) 2 (4-(2,2,2-tribromo-1,1-difluoroethoxy)-2,6-difluorophenoxy)acetamide, having a molecular weight of 590.0; and

N-isohexyl 3 (4-(pentafluoroethoxy)-2-iodo-4-tert.- butylphenylthio)-2-methylpropionamide, having a molecular weight of 595.3.

The products of the present invention are suitable for use as herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. For such uses, the unmodified substance can be utilized. However, the present invention also embraces the use of compounds in a formulation. Thus, for example, a compound can be dispersed on a finely divided solid and employed therein as a dust. Also, the compounds, or a solid composition comprising the compound, can be dispersed in water, typically with the aid of a wetting agent, and the resulting aqueous suspension employed as a spray. In other procedures, the compound can be employed as a constituent of organic liquid compositions, oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, or water dispersions, with or Without the addition of wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agents.

It is to be understood, however, that all of the compounds claimed and compositions containing them may not be equally effective at similar concentrations or against the same plants, insects or fungal organisms. The exact concentration of the toxic substituent to be employed in the treating compositions is not critical and may vary considerably provided the plant, insect or fungal organism and/ or their respective habitats are contacted with an effective amount of the toxicant. The concentration of the toxicants in liquid compositions generally is from about 1-0 to about 50 percent by weight. Concentrations up to about Weight percent are often employed. In dusts or dry formulations, the concentration of the toxicant can be from about 1.0 to about 10 weight percent; however, concentrations up to about 95 weight percent are often conveniently employed. In compositions to be employed as concentrates, the toxicant can be present in a concentration of from about 5 to about 98 weight percent.

In representative operations, each of the ethyl 2-chloro- 5 (2,2-dichloro-1,1-di fluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate, ethyl 4-(2,2-dichloro 1,1 difiuoroethoxy)-2-nitrophenoxyacetate, ethyl 3-(2-bromo 1,1,2 triflu0roethoxy)phenoxyacetate and ethyl 4-chloro-2-(2,2-dichloro 1,1 difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate compounds gives complete control of T richophyton mentagrophytes when such organisms.

age rate of 2.0 pounds per acre for evalution in the preemergent control of various plant species. The percent control of the various plant species at the employed dosage rate of the representative compounds is set forth in the following table:

PERCENT PRE-EMERGENT CONTROL OF SEED GERMI- NATION AT 20 POUNDS PER ACRE Weed species Wild Run Pig- Bindmustard N 0. Compound weeds weeds charlock 1 Ethyl 3-(2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoro- 100 100 100 ethoxy)phenoxyacetate.

2 Ethyl 4-(2,2-dichloro-1,l-difiuoro- 100 50 95 ethoxy)phenoxyacetate.

3- Ethyl 2-chloro-5-(2,2-dichloro-1,1- 100 100 100 difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate.

4. Ethyl 2,4,6-trichloro-3-(2,2-dichl0ro-1, 100 0 0 l-difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate.

5. Potassium 2-chloro-5(2,2-dich1oro-1, 100 100 100 1-difiuoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate.

6. 2-chloro-5-(2,2diohloro-1,l-difiuoro- 100 100 100 ethoxy)phenoxy acetic acid.

7. 1 :1 complex of 2-chloro-5-(2,2-dichloro- 100 100 v 100 1,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxy acetic acid with potassium 2-chloro-5- (2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethoxy) I phenoxyaeetate.

8. Ethyl 2bromo5-(2,21iichloro-1,1- 100 100 100 difiuoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate.

9- Ethyl 2-(2,2-dichloro-1,l-difluoro- 100 95 100 ethoxy)phenoxyacetate.

10.. Ethyl 3-(2-bron1o-1,1,2-trifluoro- 100 100 100 ethoxy)phenoxyacetate.

11. Ethyl 4-chloro-2-(2,2-dichloro1,1- 100 90 100 difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate. 4

12. Butyl 2-chloro 5-(2,2-diehl0ro-1 1- 100 100 100 difluoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate.

13. Ethyl 2-(2-chloro-5-(2,2-dichloro-1,1-; 100 v 100 100 difluoroethoxy)phenoxybutyrate.

14.- Isooetyl 2-chl0ro-5-(2,2-dichloro-1,1- 100 100 100 difiuoroethoxy)phenoxyacetate.

15 2-(Isobutoxy)-1-methylethy1-2,chloro- 100 100 100 5-(2,2-dichloro-1,l-difluoroethoxy) phenoxyacetate.

16- Ethyl 4-(2-chloro-5-(2,2-diohloro-1,1- 100 100 100 difluoroethoxy)phenoxybutyrate.

17-..- Ethyl 2(and 6)(2,2-dichloro-1,1- 100 100 I 100 difiuoroethoxy) -p (and -m) -tolyloxyaeetate. 1

18. Ethylene bis (2chloro-5-(2,2-diehloro- 100 100 100 1 ,l-diiluoroethoxy) phenoxyacetate.)

19. 2- (Z-chloro-5-(2,24lichloro-1,l-difluoro- 100 100 p I p 100 ethoxy)phenoxy)-N-cya.noacetamide.

20--.- 2-chloro-5-(2,2-dichloro-1,l-difiuoro- 100 100 100 cthoxy)phenoxy acetyl chloride.

21- 2-aminoethanol salt of 2-chloro-6- 100 100 100 (2,2-dichloro-1,l-difiuoroethoxy) phenoxy acetic acid.

22-..- Dibutylamine salt of 2-chloro-5-(2,2- 100 100 100 diehloro-l,1-ditluoroethoxy)phenoxy acetic acid.

23..-- Dimethylamine salt of 2-chloro-5-(2,2- 100 100 100 diehloro-l,1-difluoroethoxy)phenoxy acetic acid.

In further additional operations, N,N dibutyl-2-(2- chloro--(2,2-dichloro-1,1 difluoroethoxy)phenoxy) acetamide gives substantially complete control of wild oats when such plants are contacted with compositions containing the named compound at a dosage rate of 20 pounds per acre.

The substituted haloal-koxyor haloalkylthio-phenol or thiophenol compounds employed as starting materials in the preceding reaction are prepared by halogenating or nitrating a corresponding unsubstituted haloalkoxyor haloalkylthio-phenol or thiophenol compound or a fluoro and/or loweralkyl substituted haloalkoxyor haloalkylthio-phenol or thiophenol compound.

The addition of the halogenating or nitrating agent is conveniently carried out in the presence of an inert solvent, such as, for example, acetone, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride and the like, at temperatures of from about 0 to about 60 C. over a period of from about minutes to about three hours. Ordinarily, a small amount of an actuating agent, e.g., ferric chloride, aluminum chloride, iodine and the like, is incorporated into the reaction mixture in order to decrease reaction time. Following the addition of the halogenating or nitrating agent, the reaction mixture is agitated at ambient temperatures for a period of from about 1 to about 18 hours, filtered, and washed with water, dilute hydrochloric acid, and the like and dried. Evaporation of the reaction mixture under reduced pressure leaves the desired product as a solid or viscous residue which can be further purified by employing conventional techniques.

The unsubstituted haloalkoxyor haloalkylthiophenol or thiophenol compounds employed in the halogenating and nitrating reactions above can be prepared by known or analogous procedures disclosed in the literature. For example, 3-(2,2-dichlorol, l-difluoroethoxy) phenol is prepared by the reaction of resorcinol, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-difluoroethylene and potassium hydroxide in the presence of acetone. The l,l-dichloro-2,2-difluoroethylene reactant is usually sparged into a mixture of the other reactants at a temperature of from about 0 to about 10 C. over a period of about two hours. Following the completion of the reaction, the solvent is removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue thus obtained is dissolved in 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide and subsequently filtered. The aqueous solution is acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid, extracted with carbon tetrachloride and the extract dried over magnesium sulfate. Removal of the carbon tetrachloride solvent by distillation gives the desired 3-(2,2-dichloro-1,l-difluoroethoxy)phenol product as an oil having a boiling point of 108-109" C. at 0.2 millimeters of Hg.

The loweralkyl substituted haloalkoxyor haloal-kylthiophenol or thiophenol starting materials are prepared in analogous procedures by reacting a loweralkyl substituted catechol, resorcinol or hydroquinone compound with a substituted difiuoroethylene compound.

The fluoro or fluoro and loweralkyl substituted haloalkoxyor haloalkylthiophenol or thiophenol compounds employed in the halogenating and nitrating reactions above are prepared by introducing the fluorine atom into the ring prior to the preparation of the ether. These compounds are prepared from a fluoro or fluoro and lower-. alkyl substituted catechol, resorcinol or hydroquinone compound according to the procedures set forth in Illinois State Geological Circular #199, pp. (1955). Other modes of substitution are readily arrived at by the synthesis of ortho-, meta-, or para-fluoro substituted(2,2-dihalo-1,1-difluoroethoxy)benzene compounds from the corresponding fiuorophenols followed by nitration, reduction, diazotization, hydrolysis and the like.

Compounds containing the CX CF Y- moiety, wherein X represents bromo or chloro, are readily prepared by 14 photochemically halogenating known compounds of the type (See Lichtenberger, et al., Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr., 4 581- 596 (1957) with an appropriate halogenating agent, such as, for example, C1 ClBr and the like, in the presence of a solvent such as carbon tetrachloride or a heterogeneous mixture employing water.

The compounds wherein X is fluoro are prepared by reacting the compounds wherein X is bromo or chloro with a molten antimony fluoro-chloro compound at a temperature of from about -120" C. for a period of from about /2 to about 2 hours.

The resulting halo substituted compounds of the above formula are readily reduced to the corresponding anilines with various reducing agents, such as, for example, zinchydrochloric acid, hydrogen-Raney nickel, and the like. The anilines are then reacted with sodium nitrite to form daizonium salts which are readily hydrolyzed to the corresponding phenols of thiophenols.

Secondary substituents on the ring may, depending upon the resistance of the substituent to the succeeding reactions, be introduced at various points in the reaction sequence or introduced after the phenol or thiophenol is obtained.

We claim: 1. A compound corresponding to the formula 11 N CH CN XaCCFzY a n T wherein each X independently represents hydrogen, bromo, chloro or fluoro, with the proviso that at least one X is always bromo, chloro or fluoro;

each Y represents a chalcogen of atomic number 8-16;

each M independently represents bromo, chloro, fluoro, iodo, nitro or loweralkyl containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, both inclusive;

a represents an integer of from 0 to 3, both inclusive;

each n independently represents an integer of from 1 to 6,

both inclusive;

R represents hydrogen or loweralkyl containnig from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, both inclusive, with the proviso that when n is greater than 1, only one R can be loweralkyl; and

each T independently represents hydrogen, loweralkyl containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, both inclusive, loweralkanol containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, both inclusive or cyano, with the proviso that only one of T is cyano.

2. The compound of Claim 1 wherein each T' represents loweralkyl.

3. The compound of Claim 1 wherein M is bromo, chloro, fluoro or iodo.

4. The compound of Claim 1 which is 2-chloro-5-(2,2- dichloro-l,l-difluoroethoxy)phenoxy-N-cyanoacetamide.

5. The compound of Claim 1 which is N,N-dibutyl- 2- (2-chloro-5- (2,2-dichloro- 1, l-difluoroethoxy phenoxy) acetamide.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1971 Breuer 260-559 HARRY I. MOATZ, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

T573? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NO. i Q9g 4RQ sgAugnqt 12;:l974

).F. Y. Edamura and L. H. McKendry and E. R; Larsen It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: i

Column 1, line 40, the formula should appear as follows:

a O O I M II II Column 2, formula B, the formula should appear as'followst Column 4, line 40, correct spelling of "further";

Column 5, line 62, correct spelling of "phenol",

Column 6, line 23, insert a closing parenthesis ")"'after "milliliters";

Column 6, line 73, insert a closing parenthesis after Column 7, lines 3l 32, correct spelling of "molecular";

Column 8, line 45, the compound should read "2(Ethoxy)2methyl propyl 4-(4-(2bromo l,l,2-trifluoroethylthio)2,6difluoro-. phenoxy)thiobutyrate"- Column 9, line 52, the compound should read "Tripropylamine salt of 3-(2,4,6tribromo3(2,2,2-trichloro-l,l-difluoro-' Lgthoxy)phenylthio)thiopropionic acid";

(cont'd next sheet) I STATES PATENT OFFICE v. CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 48 Dated August 13, 1974 Inventor) F. Y. Edamura and L. H. McKendry and E. R. Larse'n It is' crtifiedithat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: 4 v P column 12, line 27 correct the spelling of "evaluation"; I

Column 12, line 5"], Run No. 13, the compound should read as follows "Ethyl 2- (Z-chloro-fi- (2,2-dichloro-l,l-d-ifluoroethoxy)phenoxyi propionate"; I 4

Column 12, Run No. 16, under the column headed "bindweeds" the number should he changed to "75" and under. the column headed "Wild mustard charlock" the number should be changed to "30";

Column 14, line 21 correct the spelling of- "diazonium":

Column 14, line 22, correct the spelling of '"or" F I Column 14, 131530, the formula should read as follows:

Column l4, line 45, correct the spelling of "containing";

Signedand sealed this 31st day of December 1974 (SEAL) Attest:

McCOY r GIBSQN JR. c. MARSHALL 1mm" Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

